Legislation Pending on Stem Cell Research in NJ

It is official. Acting Gov. Codey introduced legislation last week to give voters the chance to approve a $230 million initiative that would be used to support stem cell research in NJ. If the legislature acts by Thursday, June 30th.

The Stem Cell Initiative in New Jersey is at a critical point and your help is needed this week! The initiative is two-fold: $150 million to fund construction of the Stem Cell Institute and $230 million as a ballot referendum in November 2005 to fund stem cell research grants. There are 2 bills currently pending in the State Legislature for both parts of the initiative.

First, call Assembly Majority Leader Joe Roberts during business hours at his office in Brooklawn, NJ - (856) 742-7600 - and urge him to put this up for a vote.

Second, these bills will not pass without the public support of Senator Corzine. Please call Corzine's campaign office at 732-729-9820 during business hours and tell him:

* His support is desperately needed
* Without his support this initiative will not pass

If you wish to do more, please take this letter, and personalize it with your name and address. If you have a personal viewpoint, please add it after the first paragraph. For example, you could say, “This is particularly important to me because it can give so many suffering people hope for a cure.”

Then print it out and fax it to Senator Corzine’s campaign office at (732)729-9830 anytime. Faxing is more powerful than email. However, if you cannot fax it, the email of the office receptionist is adasgupta@votecorzine.org.



Dear Senator Corzine,

It is important that you support putting a referendum on the ballot this November to fund stem cell research. This research officers us the best hope in finding cures for diabetes, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and other life threatening diseases.

Not only is the bond referendum supported by a majority of New Jersey voters (61%), but also over 80% of the voters believe that they should make this decision, not the politicians.

I know you support public funding for stem cell research. You have co-sponsored legislation in the Senate and you personally supported the bond referendum in California. I am only asking that you do the same for New Jersey.

Please make a public statement in support of the bond referendum and call Assembly Majority Leader Joe Roberts and tell him to put this referendum up for a vote before the June 30 recess.

Your support is critical. Please act today.

Sincerely,

Your name
Your address